Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, Squirrels, It Doesn't Matter!

Today when we ran we picked up more than we bargained for. As we were doing our cool down we came across a severely injured squirrel! :( Not sure what happened to it, but it appeared that its back was broken, and you know, no man gets left behind. I went back and got my dogs kennel from the back of my car so I could capture it and take it home and put it out of its misery. The poor squirrel was having so much difficulty moving that it let me pick it up with very little struggle. I know, I know, I know what the crap am I doing picking up a wild animal, but we just couldn't leave it there! It was injured and bound to die a terribly slow and painful death. So to the little squirrel who is no longer with us on earth, enjoy your hereafter and go collect some nuts pain free!

Linda Gailey

So you want to know a little more about me? Besides being in love with running, swimming, cycling and dance. . .I am in love with being a wife, mom of 6 wonderful kids, 16 grandkids, being a friend and sister. Both of my parents have been gone for a while. My mom passed away when I was 20 and my dad when I was 40 so I guess I am an orphan of sorts.

The reasons I love challenging myself physically? I don’t know for sure, I just know I love pushing myself to the limit and finding out I can go a little further. I am not a champion of anything, just slow and steady like the tortoise in the story of “Tortoise and the Hare”.

Another defining element of my life is my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My activity in the church has taught me how to overcome the curse of being painfully shy by accepting callings to serve in leadership positions, speak in public, prepare and present lessons to students spanning from age 4 to 84, plan and prepare meals for 50 or more, organize activities for 100 + people, work with youth, work with the elderly and list could go on and on. Most of all I have learned that we are all of infinite worth and as such we should treat each other with kindness, respect and love.

I am looking forward to our relay in August, all the hard work, giggles, crazy moments and the camaraderie. Look out Spokane, here comes Team Shiny Penny Syndrome!

8 Miler!!!

We did it again! What a great morning to run 8 miles! Thanks ladies for rolling out of bed early to run (on a Saturday!). The relay is getting closer and the runs are getting longer, but it makes it alot better to have us all together. We missed those of you who couldn't be there with us! And great job ladies!

Shelli Spratling

Next up - returning for her second year is an avid runner (just ask her brain). She thinks about running, dreams of running, buys running shoes and running clothes, and if she ever starts running as much as she thinks about it, she'll make some running shoe manufacturer very happy!! ;D I am Shelli, mother to four great kids, five if we count spouses. I gave up the working world to stay home with my first baby and now that my last baby is 12 I have entered back into the work force. However, it's working for a family law office. It's very detailed and full of sorrow so being able to run has helped out the levels of frustration of getting back into the work force and learning how to beat out the stupidity in the world. I would like to thank my husband for his support, especially when the brown truck brings yet another pair of running shoes and when our anniversary happens to fall at the same time as the relay. I would like to thank my kids for their love, support, and living off ramen noodles so that Mom can use the grocery money for yet another pair of running shoes. (Okay, it's not THAT bad!) ;P I would like to thank the members of the Shiny Penny Team who make this a learning, growing, and fun experience. I couldn't do it without each and every one of you!! So lets slip on those shoes, double knot the laces, and get out there!!!

Lee Ann Donovan

My name is Lee Ann Donovan and I am one of the what you would call run for fun runners (not so avid). I started about two years ago running and found that I enjoyed it mainly to loose weight then got with the Shiny Penny girls and really enjoyed our first Spokane to Sandpoint run and hope to be apart of the tradition every year we go. I also teach ZUMBA and really enjoy teaching this fun energetic dance class. My family consists of two daughters and a son. My oldest Patti Jo who also is one of the Shiny Penny's is getting married this summer so she is not going to be running with us but is going to drive the van (so she will be there in spirit and laughing at us or with us), Jaylee is the middle child and is on the High School Rythmic Mode Dance team for the first year, and then my son Jesse is busy with baseball (GO 11-12 year old All-Stars) I am cheering for all teams in Pendleton too ecspecially 10-11 year olds since we have two runners with sons on that team (Austin Zaugg and Tyler Chichester), football, and basketball.

Some of my other hobbies are reading, doing puzzles and enjoying spending time with my family. I work also at Westcorp Mortgage Group as a real estate loan officer, but you wouldn't know it because I am busy running, doing ZUMBA and chasing my kids in whatever sport or event they happen to be in. I want to thank John and my family for supporting my hobbies and hope to run for many more years. GO SHINY PENNY BOOTCAMP!!!!!!

Dodge Car?!

We've all played dodge ball as a child but lets face it all this training has reminded us that we aren't children anymore. This past weekend I had a family reunion in Wallowa. Saturday morning my sister-in-law and I set our alarms and got up semi early (6:30 a.m.) to go for a run. We headed out on a beautiful morning for a great run. We soon discovered that like every where else, if you aren't on four wheels the other four wheeled vehicles don't want you in their "space". I found the loose gravel on the side of the road and even while on all "fours" the car didn't get out of "MY SPACE". Once again....new pair of shoes scuffed!! My hand and arm will heal but those scuffs are PERMANENT! I hope the car that put me in the ditch was headed to the ER to have a baby!! Other wise strong words like "poop poop head" are coming to mind!

First training day with doubles

It is creeping up on us. Our race is only 9 weeks away and our training is on the down hill side. Only 8 weeks left! We have to do our 1st double today. 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles in the evening and it only gets more intense from here on out! Let's go get 'em Shiny Pennies!!!!!